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Posts Tagged ‘AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’

Infotainment Systems on Par With Cell Phones for Distracted Driving

Study reveals cars already have plenty of things to distract drivers.

by on Oct.05, 2017

Newer infotainment systems often require drivers to avert their eyes from the roads, leading to more dangerous driving.

For so long, researchers have focused on how cellular phones facilitate a variety of distracted driving behaviors, such as texting and driving. A new study now shows that vehicles themselves can be a distraction.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a report suggesting that the latest infotainment systems in new vehicle promote distracted driving behaviors and on a scale greater than cell phones.

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Fatal crashes are on the rise in the U.S., and distracted driving is a major reason for the increase, the foundation believes. Deaths involving distracted driving jumped 8.8% to 3,477 in 2015, the latest year in which statistics were available, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (more…)

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AAA Says $146 Billion Infrastructure Plan Saves 63K Lives

Will Trump borrow from the proposal?

by on May.09, 2017

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safey's six key infrastructure improvements would save more than 63,000 lives.

The Trump Administration has been banging the drum for infrastructure improvements as part of its platform; however, specifics on how he plans to spend billions of dollars improving America’s roads haven’t been released.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a report on how money could best be spent. The group suggests that a $146 billion investment in U.S. roadway improvements could potentially save 63,700 lives and prevent 353,560 serious injuries over a 20-year period.

Safety News!

Traffic-related deaths have risen in 2014 and 2015 and are expected to rise again once the final numbers are compiled for 2016. This has occurred in spite of the fact that new vehicles feature more passive and active safety technology than ever. (more…)

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Even Voice-Controlled Infotainment Systems Distract Drivers, Warns Study

Feds looking at impact of using systems.

by on Oct.26, 2015

Even using voice-controlled infotainment systems, drivers can be distracted for at least 15 seconds.

Federal regulators blame distracted driving for nearly one in 10 of the nation’s highway fatalities, and much of the focus is on motorists who text while driving. But a new survey warns that even when drivers use voice-controlled infotainment systems and keep both hands on the wheel, they can be dangerously distracted.

Even at 25 miles per hour, using a voice command to do something as simple as make a phone call can shift a driver’s attention away from the road for as long as 27 seconds. That’s the equivalent of driving the length of three football fields, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

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“The lasting effects of mental distraction pose a hidden and pervasive danger that would likely come as a surprise to most drivers,” said Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “The results indicate that motorists could miss stop signs, pedestrians and other vehicles while the mind is readjusting to the task of driving.” (more…)

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AAA Claims Toyota’s Hands-Free System is Best

Organization says most systems still distract driver too much.

by on Oct.07, 2014

AAA tested several hands-free technologies and Toyota's Entune was rated best.

Automakers are coming out with a multitude of hands-free systems, which are supposed make it safer for drivers to stay in touch with the world outside of the car and in command of the inside.

However, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety claims researchs shows hands-free systems like Apple’s Siri, General Motors’ MyLink and Ford’s Sync that are designed to limit distracted driving may have the opposite effect.

Data Driven!

“We already know that drivers can miss stop signs, pedestrians and other cars while using voice technologies because their minds are not fully focused on the road ahead,” said Bob Darbelnet, chief executive officer of AAA. (more…)

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Posted in Automobiles | 2 Comments »